weakness

American  

[week-nis] / ˈwik nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.

   Synonyms:

   fragility

   Antonyms:

   strength

2. an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect.

   to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.

   Synonyms:

   flaw

3. a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing.

   I've always had a weakness for the opera.

   Synonyms:

   appetite, hunger, passion, penchant

4. an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist.

   Chocolates were her weakness.

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weakness British  

/ ˈwiːknɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak

2. a deficiency or failing, as in a person's character

3. a self-indulgent fondness or liking

   a weakness for chocolates

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weakness Idioms  

1. see have a weakness for.

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Related Words

See fault.

Other Word Forms

• nonweakness noun

Etymology

Origin of weakness

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English waikenes, weikenes. See weak, -ness

Example Sentences

His playmates have nicknamed him “petit éclair” for his soft heart, which they mistake for weakness.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Friday, however, Waller appeared to change his view, saying he saw inflation as a more immediate risk, unless future jobs data showed increased weakness.

From Barron's

The weakness of the yuan also means they earn more selling their goods in dollars or euros.

From The Wall Street Journal

On March 9 I wrote an article calling for incoming weakness when silver was trading in the mid $80s.

From Barron's

And this Islamic belief that God encompasses every aspect of earthly life proves both a strength and a weakness.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deficiency
• failing
• flaw
• fragility
• frailty
• gap
• instability
• lack
• lapse
• shortcoming
• vulnerability